2010 - EPISODE 1:

ARMY ROTC

Follows several college students that have joined the ROTC at their college or university as a way to gain officer training with the intention of gaining a commission in the Army.

Captain Charles Bies: My name is Charles Bies, Army Officer and graduate of Duke University. ROTC was a great opportunity for college, it gives you a sense of fulfillment, you're a part of something bigger than yourself.

Lieutenant Colonel David Buckingham: The ROTC is the Reserve Officer Training Corps and is one of the paths to service as an Officer in the Army.

Captain Charles Bies: The beauty of going to ROTC is that it doesn't interfere with your life as a student. Just went to ROTC class two days out of the week--I got to go out and I got to do something fun, and it was educational and it made me a better person.

Cadet Sara Brubaker: So our training in ROTC, we do PT, PT is physical training. It's just the things that you train to get yourself physically in shape. We have labs once a week and we train doing Ranger Challenge.

Captain Charles Bies: ROTC wasn't a compromise for my university experience, I think it made it better I had a more active lifestyle and left me with a sense of pride when I graduated.

Cadet Sara Brubaker: It kind of pushes you in a way in that you can feel yourself improving. I think I've learned to do a lot of skills that are pretty cool, that I would have never have even done had I not been in ROTC.

Lieutenant Colonel David Buckingham: One of the great things about the ROTC program, it is a civilian university experience, designed to produce and commission an Army Officer at the end of four years.

Captain Charles Bies: Once you've completed your undergraduate degree then you are commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Captain Charles Bies: Leading Soldiers as an Army Officer is an experience that just can't be beat. For example last week, I planned a ground movement from an Airborne insertion for my company. Jump out the door then there's just a rush, like nothing you've ever felt before. It's a great sense of accomplishment, learning what I was capable of. One of the best things about the ROTC program was the level of personal attention and mentorship that we were able to receive from our Cadre here. They took a personal interest in each of us, they took a personal interest in our lives, and they became deeply involved with all of us.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Tribus: The Army has a sense that leaders can be developed, that's our leadership doctrine. We feel and believe that we can take the raw DNA and knowledge, skills, abilities of a young person and develop leadership qualities.

Lieutenant Colonel David Buckingham: What really makes the difference is other leaders, senior folks who come in and mentor you.

Captain Charles Bies: They help you with your weaknesses, but they also help you reinforce and develop your strengths. Ultimately made me a more successful leader in the Army.

Cadet Sara Brubaker: I think it will be fun to be able to help out people that are going through the same thing I am going through now. I know that with ROTC I have people who will support me and help me reach that goal. And it's definitely nice to have that peace of mind that there are people there helping you the whole way.

Lieutenant Colonel David Buckingham: The great thing about being a leader is the joy of being around all these young Soldiers and young Officers who get you fired up.

Captain Charles Bies: I've been a leader for the past four years and I'm confident that no matter where I end up after the Army, I'll be a leader there too.

ARMY ROTC

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO FRESHMEN, SOPHMORES, JUNIORS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

ROTC COURSES ARE OFFERED AT MORE THAN 1,100 COLLEGES IN THE UNITED STATES, GUAM, AND PUERTO RICO

LEARN UNPRECEDENTED LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS THROUGH ARMY ROTC

GRADUATE WITH A DEGREE AND A COMMISSION AS AN OFFICER IN THE U.S. ARMY, ARMY RESERVE OR NATIONAL GUARD